A fire broke out early on Wednesday in a nursery for newborns at a major government hospital in Pakistan’s capital, resulting in the tragic deaths of 14 babies, as confirmed by hospital authorities and government officials. The incident occurred at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences in Islamabad, where 15 newborns were present in the nursery when the fire started around 6:45 a.m. local time due to an explosion of an air-conditioning unit compressor inside the nursery on the third floor, according to reports from hospital and rescue personnel.
The fire was contained within the nursery located in the gynecology ward, with the rest of the hospital unaffected and no additional injuries reported, as stated by hospital officials and witnesses. Footage from television broadcasts showed rescue teams using ladders to access the area through broken windows.
Federal Health Minister Mustafa Kamal confirmed the tragic loss of at least 14 infants, while Dr. Aneeza Jalil, a hospital spokesperson, mentioned that one baby was rescued by a doctor. The bodies of six babies have been returned to their families, with arrangements being made for the release of the remaining bodies.
The heartbreaking news of the children’s deaths has caused shock and grief nationwide, leading to the deployment of police at the hospital as grieving parents and relatives gathered. Questions arose regarding accountability and the presence of adequate firefighting equipment in the nursery, with some individuals demanding answers on the cause of the fire.
Firefighters swiftly responded to extinguish the blaze, and rescue operations commenced at the site, as reported by local media. Islamabad Chief Commissioner Suhail Ashraf confirmed the fire was put out, and authorities were working closely with the affected families. In response to the tragic incident, a multiagency fact-finding committee has been established by the Islamabad district magistrate to investigate the fire’s origin, its progression, the adequacy of fire safety measures in place, and the emergency response procedures.
Expressing deep sorrow over the incident, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized the importance of the immediate investigation into the matter. President Asif Ali Zardari also extended condolences to the bereaved families, describing the deaths as a heart-wrenching and irreparable loss. Zardari urged for the identification and legal action against those responsible, emphasizing the need for hospitals to prioritize effective fire safety measures, especially in units caring for newborns.
The Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS), a prominent public hospital in Islamabad, was recently in the spotlight for conducting a medical examination of the incarcerated former Prime Minister Imran Khan.